New voter information cards being mailed this week

The new Sarasota County precinct map has been in effect since late May. Courtesy Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections

The Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office will begin mailing new voter information cards to approximately 270,000 registered voters today, July 10, the office has announced.

The SOE is required by law to mail new cards to every voter as a result of the 2010 Census and the subsequent redistricting process, a news release points out. The new cards will contain vital information about a voter’s congressional, Florida Senate, Florida House, County Commission and local voting districts, as well as precinct and polling location information, the release adds.

All Sarasota County precinct numbers have changed, and many polling locations have been consolidated as a result of the redistricting process, the news release notes. Voters are urged to destroy their old cards and pay special attention to the information contained on the new cards.

Voters who do not receive a new card or who need to update any of the information on their cards should contact the SOE office at 861-8619. Voters with questions about the new cards also may call the office or visit the SOE website at www.SarasotaVotes.com.

As with the old cards, the new voter information cards are informational only and may not be used as identification at a polling place on Election Day, the news release points out. All voters must take a photo and signature ID to the polls when voting at an early voting location or at the polls on Election Day, according to state law.

The primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 14. The deadline for registering to vote in the primary — or for changing voter registration in advance of it — is Monday, July 16. Early voting times and locations are posted on the SOE website and will be advertised prior to the elections, the news release notes.